Citation

Kehayes IL, Mackinnon SP, Sherry SB, Leonard KE, Stewart SH. Subst. Abuse 2017; 38(4): 488-492.

Affiliation

b Department of Psychiatry , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08897077.2017.1355869

PMID

28727514

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research suggests enhancement, conformity, social, coping-with-anxiety, and coping-with-depression drinking motives are linked to specific drinking outcomes in a theoretically-expected manner. Social learning theory suggests people who spend more time together emulate each other's behaviour to acquire reinforcing outcomes. The present study sought to integrate drinking motives theory and social learning theory to investigate similarity in drinking behaviours and drinking motives in romantic couples. We hypothesized couples would be more similar than chance in their drinking behaviours and motives. We also hypothesized demographics reflecting time around and interactions with romantic partners (e.g., days spent drinking together) would positively correlate with similarity in drinking behaviours and motivations.

METHODS: The present study tested hypotheses in 203 romantic couples. Participants completed a Timeline Follow-Back measure and the Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised to track their alcohol use and drinking motives. Similarity profiles were calculated using McCrae's (2008) coefficient of profile agreement, rpa.

RESULTS: Couples were more similar in their drinking behavioural and motivational profiles than could be explained by chance. Days spent drinking together and days with face-to-face contact predicted increased similarity in drinking behaviour profiles, but not similarity in drinking motives profiles.

CONCLUSIONS: Results are partially consistent with social learning theory and suggest social influences within couples could be important intervention targets to prevent escalations in drinking.

Language: en

Keywords

Romantic couples; alcohol use; drinking motives; similarity; social learning theory